Grand Jury Returns Indictment in Connection with Fatal Heroin Overdoses

COURT HOUSE – Cape May County Grand Jury returned an indictment concerning two fatal heroin overdoses that occurred on May 16, 2014 and Sept. 19, 2014, Cape May County Prosecutor Robert L. Taylor announced Feb. 25.
The indictment charges the following:
Robert Luzny, 38, of Wildwood, was charged with two counts of drug induced death, first degree offenses, two counts of endangering an injured victim, third degree offenses, two counts of distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, third degree offenses, and one count of distribution of a controlled dangerous substance within 1,000 feet of a school zone, a third degree offense.
Kevin Clancy, 43, of Wildwood, was charged with one count of drug induced death, a first degree offense, one count of distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, third degree offense, and one count of distribution of a controlled dangerous substance within 1,000 feet of a school zone, a third degree offense.
Sharron Knapp, 53, of Gloucester City, was charged with two counts of endangering an injured victim, third degree offenses.
Conviction of a first degree crime carries a penalty of between 10 and 20 years New Jersey State Prison. Third degree crimes carry a penalty of between three and five years.
Two individuals died as a result of ingestion of heroin distributed by Luzny on both May 16, 2014 and Sept. 19, 2014. Clancy also distributed heroin resulting in the drug induced death of one of those persons on May 16, 2014. Luzny and Knapp were allegedly aware of both overdoses, but failed to render proper aid or call for help for a significant amount of time. The calls for medical assistance came from other third parties.
Under New Jersey’s Overdose Prevention Act, individuals seeking aid for themselves or others experiencing a drug overdose can avoid prosecution for possession charges of controlled dangerous substances if they seek medical for themselves or that other person. The Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office cannot stress the importance of calling for medical assistance if you or someone you know is experiencing a drug overdose. However, the Prosecutor’s Office will rigorously investigate and prosecute heroin sales or distribution that results in death to users.
Prosecutor Taylor continues to urge the citizens of Cape May County to report any information regarding this type of incident as well as any illegal activity and or any criminal activity within the community and that this information can be reported anonymously through the Cape May County Sheriff’s Tip Line at cmcsheriff.net and click on anonymous tip, or through the Cape May County Crime Stoppers at 609-465-2800 or 877-465-2801, as well as the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-465-1168.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.